Story of Sage Kandu

Sage Kandu performed intense austerities to attain the
ultimate goal – self realization. He built an ashram at secluded spot on the
banks of GomatiRiver. He did Tapas by standing between
five fires in summer and in winter he performed Tapas by staying in cold water.
The story of Sage Kandu is found in the Brahmapurana.

Indra, the King of Devas, was afraid of Sage Kandu’s
asceticism as he worried that the sage would unseat him in the heaven.

Indra deputed Pramolcha, an Apsara (damsel), to disturb the
austerities of Sage Kandu.

With the help of Kama (god of love), Vayu (wind god) and spring,
Pramolcha created a perfect setting in the Ashram. Her songs disturbed the
meditation of the Sage. Passion aroused in him and He took her inside the
ashram.

Sage Kandu used his powers to turn into a 16-year-old youth
and made love to Pramolcha.

Hundreds of years passed. In between Pramlocha asked
permission to leave but the sage asked her stay. This continued for several
years.

One day Sage Kandu wanted to leave the hermitage in a hurry.
When Pramolcha asked for the reason, the sage said he wanted to perform evening
rites as the day was coming to an end. She laughed and asked why only today he
needed to perform evening rites.

The Sage then realized that several years had passed and
blamed himself for the loss of religious merit due to his passion.

Pramalocha got scared of an angry Sage Kandu and she began
to tremble and sweat. She left for heaven and while flying to heaven, she wiped
the sweat on the leaves of trees. Embryo in her had come out in the form of
sweat. The sweat was put together by trees and it was nourished by the moon. It
grew to become Marisha, a beautiful woman. She was the mother of Daksha.

Sage Kandu then performed intense austerities
and attained Moksha. The Sage had realized that what was standing between him
and realization was passion. The company of Pramalocha made the Sage realize
the futility of lust and passion.